Edmonton celebrates the New Year…three hours early

After testing two different fireworks celebrations last year, the city chooses the most popular option Fireworks over Edmonton are happening a little earlier this New Year's Eve. (Lostafichuk | Dreamstime)

The crowds. The fireworks. The countdown... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year!

These are essential parts of any great Yew Year's celebration, right? And with the party only a day away, Edmonton is getting ready to test out a new fireworks schedule.

The city has decided to move their New Year's Eve fireworks display from midnight to 9 p.m. Here's how it came about.

Doing it for the kids!

So a certain country had a big 150thbirthday this year. (Spoiler alert: it was Canada.) As a part of that, many cities received larger budgets for celebrations, including Edmonton.

For last year's New Year's Eve, the city thought it would be a nice idea to hold a second, earlier fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. They didn't know if it would be as popular as the midnight one, but it was a nice way to include younger people and families who wouldn't be as comfortable being outside super-late.

Turns out, the 8:30 p.m display was actually more popular than the late show. So a year later, Edmonton is trying on a single 9 p.m. fireworks display for size. Organizers hope that it will be the best of both worlds. People can oooh and aaah at the outdoor light show as a family, and then still have enough time to get back inside to watch the midnight countdown.

Family-friendly or bad for tradition?

Fireworks outside, then a party at home? Not a bad idea in Canada where so many cities are awfully cold right now! (Getty Embed)

Not everyone in Edmonton likes the change. After all, midnight is still when the new year officially begins. But on the bright side, for anyone visiting from Halifax, those fireworks will be right on the mark!

What do you think? Would you like your city to have an earlier fireworks display for the whole family?

However you celebrate, we hope your own New Year's Eve is a great time!